Information for employers about the HSC

What is the Higher School Certificate?

The Higher School Certificate is the highest educational award in New South Wales schools. It is awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed Years 11 and 12 at secondary school. To be eligible, students must meet HSC course requirements and sit for the statewide HSC examinations. The HSC is an internationally recognised credential that provides a strong foundation for students wishing to pursue tertiary qualifications, vocational training or employment.

What must students do to gain the HSC?

To gain an HSC, students must have completed a minimum of 12 units of Preliminary courses and 10 units of HSC courses. All courses in the HSC have a unit value. Most courses are 2 units. Students must satisfactorily complete the Preliminary course (usually studied during Year 11) before they are eligible to commence the corresponding HSC course (usually studied during Year 12). English is the only compulsory subject for the HSC.

Further details regarding HSC eligibility requirements are available in the booklet "Studying for the NSW HSC".

What courses do students study for their HSC?

There are two main types of courses - Board Developed and Board Endorsed.

Board Developed Courses

These are the large number of courses that are set and externally examined by the Board of Studies including courses in the areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Creative Arts, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Human Society and its Environment, Languages and Vocational Education and Training (VET) Curriculum Frameworks. These courses may contribute to the calculation of an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

On this website there is a list of the subjects available and a description of each course.

Board Endorsed Courses

These include courses that may have been developed by schools, TAFE or universities. They contribute to the HSC but do not contribute to the calculation of the ATAR.

What are the different English and Mathematics courses?

English

The two main courses are English Advanced and English Standard.

English Advanced involves the study of English at a higher level. It includes the study of Shakespeare and other literary texts and is undertaken by students who may wish to study English at university. There are additional English Extension courses which can only be studied in conjunction with English Advanced. English Extension 1 gives students the opportunity to study in-depth options and English Extension 2 provides students with the challenge of creating a Major Work which is assessed by examiners.

English Standard caters for a wide range of students. It is designed to develop and refine students' reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and to enhance their personal, social and vocational opportunities.

Both English Advanced and English Standard are reported on a common scale. This means that results in these courses can be compared with each other.

English Studies Content Endorsed Course (CEC) is intended to address the needs of specific students for an English course to support their succesful completion of the HSC while advancing their vocational interests and pathways. The course is intended to extend knowledge and understanding about, and skills in, accurate and appropriate use of language for current and future studies, careers and citizenship. The English Studies CEC is a non-examinable course that satisfies the Board's eligibility requirements for the award of the HSC.

English as a Second Language (ESL) has been developed for students who have been educated overseas (or in Australia for less than five years) where English has not been the language of instruction. Strict rules apply to the eligibility of students entering ESL. See the ACE manual, section 8.2.2.

Mathematics

The two main courses are Mathematics and General Mathematics.

Mathematics is a 2 unit course which involves the study of some calculus. It is a prerequisite for the higher level course Mathematics Extension 1. The highest level course is Mathematics Extension 2 which is designed for gifted students. Mathematics Extension 2 must be undertaken concurrently with Mathematics Extension 1.

General Mathematics is also a 2 unit Board Developed Course in Mathematics. It does not involve the study of calculus. It is designed for students who wish to enter occupations which require the use of standard mathematical and statistical techniques.

What documents do students receive?

The HSC Credentials section features samples and explanations of each document a student will receive for completing their HSC. This includes Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificates and statements of attainment.

The HSC documents issued by the Board of Studies provide detailed information on a student's achievements at school, however they do not include information on how punctual a student is or his/her attitude to work. Further information, including attendance details and attitude towards study, may be contained in the documents issued by the student's school. These usually include school reports, references and documents relating to work experience and community involvement.

How is Vocational Education included in the HSC?

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses have an important role in the HSC. One-third of students studying for their HSC undertake a VET course, which is reported on their Record of Achievement.

VET Courses are either Board Developed Courses, which may contribute to the calculation of an ATAR, or Board Endorsed Courses.

There are 12 Industry Curriculum Frameworks, encompassing a range of Board Developed Courses, which allow students to gain Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificates, usually at Certificate II or III level. Students who complete a 240-hour course in one of the Industry Curriculum Frameworks and sit for the HSC exam may have the course included in the calculation of their ATAR. These courses all involve work placement which is a mandatory HSC requirement. Students can use part-time work in industry towards their workplace requirement and may also undertake these courses as part of a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship.

The 12 VET Industry Curriculum Frameworks are:

Automotive

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to enable them to commence a career and be an effective employee in the automotive industry.

Business Services

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to enable them to commence a career and be an effective employee in the business services industry.

Construction

This course provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to enable them to be competent in a range of activities and functions in a construction setting.

Electrotechnology

This course provides students with the opportunity to commence a work entry program providing grounding in safety and basic skills and knowledge for work in any electrotechnology discipline.

Entertainment Industry

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain a range of general skills and knowledge suitable for entry to employment in live production, theatre and events industries.

Hospitality

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to enable them to be competent in a range of activities and functions in a defined context within a hospitality setting.

Human Services

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain a Certificate III in Aged Care, Allied Health Assistance or Health Services Assistance. Students develop knowledge and skills to enable them to commence a career in the community services and/or health industry.

Information Technology

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to enable them to be an effective ICT user and/or employee.

Metal and Engineering

This course provides foundation knowledge and introductory skills that are broadly applicable in the metal, engineering and related service industries. The course is designed to provide students with opportunities to perform entry-level functions within the industry.

Primary Industries

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain general skills and knowledge as part of their preparation for entry-level employment in a primary industries environment.

Retail Services

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to enable them to commence a career and be an effective employee in the community pharmacy, retail and/or wholesale industries.

Tourism and Events

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to enable them to become competent in a range of tourism and/or events sales, administrative and operational support roles.

HSC students can also study a range of Board Endorsed VET Courses in many other industry areas. Some of these are locally designed VET courses delivered by schools, colleges or TAFE NSW and other registered training organisations.

What is work placement and how is it different from work experience?

Each of the VET Industry Curriculum Framework courses includes a mandatory component of work placement during which students leave the school and work in a suitable workplace. This provides on-the-job training and is an essential part of each course. If students do not complete this requirement it means that the course has not been completed.

Work experience is used by schools to give students a taste of what a particular occupation is like. It is often undertaken in Year 10 and it does not form part of any Board of Studies credential.